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Vendor Landscape: Canadian Co-location/Managed Services

Sort through disguised differentiation in the market to get back to an apples-to-apples comparison.

More Details

Your Challenge

  • The decision to co-locate all or part of the data center facility can be risky. Because the decision to build vs. buy is essentially one of cost, IT decision makers must put in the time and effort in requirements gathering, determining the needs of the business, and selecting a co-location vendor to ensure the engagement is successful.
  • Because the co-location/managed services market is highly commoditized, the trouble for organizations lies in differentiating vendors in order to choose the best fit for enterprise needs.
  • In addition, because the market is so commoditized in the services they provide, vendors will go to great lengths to differentiate themselves, creating a disguised differentiation where they do whatever they can to NOT look like another vendor. This makes it hard for organizations to get back to the apples-to-apples comparison, creating additional confusion.

Our Advice

Critical Insight
  • Most SMEs begin with a basic level of co-location services and evolve into managed services. What they really need from vendors in this space is a hybrid model where they can begin at basic co-location and move into managed services – the vendor should support them having a bit of both; however, many vendors in the co-location market space have cut out their basic level of service, and are only offering managed services as their entry level service.
  • Customers must be prepared to have educated conversations with vendors to ensure they are engaging with the right vendor and the right level of service for their business needs now and in the future.
  • There are three Tiers of vendors (based on size, geography, and market influence); the majority of mid-sized enterprises should concentrate on vendors that fall into the Tier 2 category. Generally speaking, there is really no difference in capacity or capability in the market – just size.
Impact and Result
  • Understand what’s new in the Canadian co-location/managed services market.
  • Evaluate Canadian co-location/managed services vendors and services for your enterprise needs.
  • Determine which services are most appropriate for particular use cases and scenarios.

 


Get to Action

  1. Evaluate Canadian Co-location providers and available solutions

    Understand the Canadian Co-location provider market, the players, and their products.

  2. Identify the solutions that best fit enterprise needs

    Develop a customized shortlist to speed solution selection.

Related Solution Sets

Develop a Co-location Strategy

Successful data center co-location strategies are a function of cost and vendor selection.

Vendor Landscape: US Co-location/Managed Services

Learn how to navigate the super-sized US market.

Vendor Landscape: European Co-location/Managed Services

Rome wasn't built in a day. Take the time to evaluate the European market.

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See how all the steps you need to take come together, with tools and advice to help with each task on your list.

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Sort through disguised differentiation in the market to get back to an apples-to-apples comparison.

Companies Who Helped

  • Bell Business Solutions
  • CenturyLink/Savvis
  • Data Centers Canada
  • PEER 1
  • Primus
  • RackForce
  • TELUS

Solution Road Map

Other Solution Sets in Outsourcing/Shared & Managed Services
1. Develop a Co-location Strategy
Successful data center co-location strategies are a function of cost and vendor selection.
2. Manage SLAs with Co-location Providers
The SLA is about communication, not penalties.
3. Vendor Landscape: Canadian Co-location/Managed Services
Sort through disguised differentiation in the market to get back to an apples-to-apples comparison.
4. Vendor Landscape: US Co-location/Managed Services
Learn how to navigate the super-sized US market.
5. Vendor Landscape: European Co-location/Managed Services
Rome wasn't built in a day. Take the time to evaluate the European market.
View the full Solution Road Map